Football chief in spying allegations

A roundup of the news making the national back pages, including Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Arsenal and Oscar Pistorius.

THE TIMES: Arsenal were booed off last night after a home defeat by Bayern Munich left their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread and condemned Arsene Wenger to the prospect of finishing an eighth season without a trophy. ALSO: For a moment, everyone fell silent, straining to hear the part of the tragedy that had not yet been told: Oscar Pistorius’s account of what happened the night he shot his girlfriend.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Arsenal’s season effectively ended last night when they were completely outclassed by a superior side in Bayern Munich. ALSO: Manu Tuilagi, the Leicester centre, is set to return to the England side to face France at Twickenham on Saturday in one of three expected changes to the starting XV that defeated Ireland.

THE INDEPENDENT: Whether it is the more prosaic Blackburn Rovers or the sophistication of the club they call FC Hollywood it seems that for Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger, these days the plot is destined to reach an unhappy conclusion no matter what. ALSO: The Manchester City chief executive, Ferran Soriano, has become embroiled in allegations that he spied on the internal emails of Barcelona employees.

THE GUARDIAN: It ended, as it so often does these days, with the beaten, dejected players of Arsenal listening to the din of dissent that is threatening to become the soundtrack of their season. ALSO: England’s forwards have been urged to show they are a rising force in world rugby when they face France at Twickenham on Saturday.

DAILY EXPRESS: Arsenal were left mullered at the Emirates last night as Bayern Munich turned on the Kroos control to pile the pressure on Arsene Wenger. ALSO: England’s hopes of progressing in next year’s World Cup have been given a boost after FIFA confirmed that goal-line technology will be in place for the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

DAILY MAIL: Arsene Wenger virtually threw in the Champions League towel last night as Arsenal’s eighth consecutive trophyless season was as good as confirmed. ALSO: Manu Tuilagi will return to England’s starting line-up against France at Twickenham on Saturday, as one of three changes to a winning team.

DAILY MIRROR: Arsene Wenger’s bid to defy the doubters was undone in brutal fashion as Arsenal were crushed by Bayern Munich. ALSO: Bradford City are planning a tribute to the 56 victims of the 1985 Valley Parade fire at Sunday’s Capital One Cup Final.

THE SUN: Arsenal kissed goodbye to their final chance of winning anything. ALSO: FIFA have bowed to pressure to bring in goal-line technology in time for next year’s World Cup.

DAILY STAR: Arsenal’s season is on the brink of total collapse. ALSO: Manchester City were facing more embarrassment last night after chief executive Ferran Soriano was caught up in spying allegations.